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2012 aston-martin db9 Model Overview

Overview

The Aston Martin DB9 and DB9 Volante were the British automaker’s bread-and-butter vehicles until the V8 Vantage and V12 Vantage arrived. The 2012 DB9 remains the most affordable four-passenger V-12 coupe/convertible in the automaker’s lineup. But don’t be fooled by its price. The car comes with all of the amenities expected from the premium British automaker. The body is sensuous with a long hood and short deck—the DB9 is a grand touring coupe in every sense.

Over the years, power has increased steadily to 470 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Several special edition models have come and gone. It rides on a choice of 19-inch alloy wheels with massive 275/40 rear tires help put the V-12’s torque to the pavement.

The DB9 and DB9 Volante come with every luxury amenity one would expect from an exclusive British automaker including a leather- and Alcantara-wrapped interior, and crystal push-button start system.

What’s New
The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante (convertible) were updated for 2011 and roll into 2012 with minimal changes. The five-spoke forged alloy wheels are no longer available. Yellow brake calipers are now optional, and a Garmin-based navigation system replaces the old unit. Beam blade windshield wipers are also new. It is still powered by Aston Martin’s 470-horsepower 6.0-liter V-12 engine mated to a choice of six-speed transmissions.

Exterior
The DB9 (and Volante) is the tamest of the larger V-12 powered Aston Martin coupes and convertibles. About the same size as the Jaguar XK coupe, its exterior is less ornate than the more expensive Virage and DBS models. The coupe is sleek with a long hood and short fastback rear. The dash-to-axle ratio contributes to its powerful stance only afforded by its rear-drive architecture. The Volante’s convertible top is trimmed in Alcantara and fuzzy cloth inside and a heavy cloth outside. Aston Martin kept the soft-top in lieu of competitors with chunky-looking retractable hardtops that encroach on trunk space.

Interior
Most of the interior is wrapped in high-quality leather or Alcantara, walnut fascia trim is standard. Other dash and door trim is optional. Many aluminum trim pieces serve as eye candy; even the bezel around the makeup mirror on the back of the sunvisors is milled and polished alloy. Park/Drive/Reverse buttons on the center stack replace a conventional shifter and there are steering column paddles for manual control. LED interior lighting is standard. A 700-watt audio system with Dolby Prologic II is available.

Performance and Handling
The DB9 is motivated by a 5.9-liter Aston Martin V-12 making 470 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Aston Martin claims the DB9 will attain 190 mph and hits 60 mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds with the Touchtronic transmission. Bilstein dampers improve ride quality and enhance its sporty feel. Massive 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 front and 275/35 rear tires grip the road.

The Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and DB9 Volante (convertible) were updated for 2011 and roll into 2012 with minimal changes. The five-spoke forged alloy wheels are no longer available. Yellow brake calipers are now optional, and a Garmin-based navigation system replaces the old unit. Beam blade windshield wipers are also new. It is still powered by Aston Martin’s 470-horsepower 6.0-liter V-12 engine mated to a choice of six-speed transmissions.

The DB9 (and Volante) is the tamest of the larger V-12 powered Aston Martin coupes and convertibles. About the same size as the Jaguar XK coupe, its exterior is less ornate than the more expensive Virage and DBS models. The coupe is sleek with a long hood and short fastback rear. The dash-to-axle ratio contributes to its powerful stance only afforded by its rear-drive architecture. The Volante’s convertible top is trimmed in Alcantara and fuzzy cloth inside and a heavy cloth outside. Aston Martin kept the soft-top in lieu of competitors with chunky-looking retractable hardtops that encroach on trunk space.

Most of the interior is wrapped in high-quality leather or Alcantara, walnut fascia trim is standard. Other dash and door trim is optional. Many aluminum trim pieces serve as eye candy; even the bezel around the makeup mirror on the back of the sunvisors is milled and polished alloy. Park/Drive/Reverse buttons on the center stack replace a conventional shifter and there are steering column paddles for manual control. LED interior lighting is standard. A 700-watt audio system with Dolby Prologic II is available.

The DB9 is motivated by a 5.9-liter Aston Martin V-12 making 470 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Aston Martin claims the DB9 will attain 190 mph and hits 60 mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds with the Touchtronic transmission. Bilstein dampers improve ride quality and enhance its sporty feel. Massive 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 front and 275/35 rear tires grip the road.

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assemblies. The recall began on February 11, 2014. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0017. IMPORTANT: This recall supersedes recall 13V-228. Any vehicle that has been remedied under the previous recall needs to have the current remedy applied.

Units Affected

5001

Recall ID#13V228000 - VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Consequence

If the throttle pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

2013-05-29

Description

Aston Martin is recalling certain model year DB9, Virage, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage, and Rapide vehicles manufactured from May 14, 2012, through April 10, 2013. Due to a manufacturing error, the throttle pedal arm may break.

Remedy

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the throttle pedal assemblies. The recall began July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is RA-03-0016.

Units Affected

689

Recall ID#14V753000 - SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Consequence

If the electronic control module fails, the seat heater could get hot enough that areas of the seat may overheat and smolder, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Recall Date

2014-11-25

Description

Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heaters may fail, preventing the seat heaters from being able to be turned off.

Remedy

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional module to the circuit that can interrupt the power to the seat heaters in case the electronic control module for the seat heaters fails, free of charge. The recall began in January 2015. Owners may contact Aston Martin Customer Service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-01-0019.

Units Affected

7256

Recall ID#15V846000 - LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Consequence

If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.

Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-01-0021.

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